Player Watch: Cameron Carter-Vickers

As an American, while I am upset we didn't qualify, I have been waiting 6 years for us to finally turn over the squad and look forward to watching some of these younger kids play. US Soccer changed its development strategies roughly 10 years ago and the kids that are 18/19 are the first ones coming through that have really benefited from the changes. I think we will start to see a much steadier string of talent coming from youth ranks and I am looking forward to see CCV get in the mix with this group.

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The MLS academies (pretty much only LA, Dallas, and RBNY) are the only reasons the US has been able to produce good talent in house. Every other good young player has to move overseas for development. With the US not making the WC, MLS will suffer and the talent in the MLS will suffer.

A country the size of the US shouldn't have to miss a World Cup for things to change. I love the CCV will get the opportunity but the only people watching the US for the next few years will be people who probably already support a club, rather than new fans.

The MLS academies (pretty much only LA, Dallas, and RBNY) are the only reasons the US has been able to produce good talent in house. Every other good young player has to move overseas for development. With the US not making the WC, MLS will suffer and the talent in the MLS will suffer.

A country the size of the US shouldn't have to miss a World Cup for things to change. I love the CCV will get the opportunity but the only people watching the US for the next few years will be people who probably already support a club, rather than new fans.

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I agree for the most part to this point, but I do think we have more players that are going to be coming from other academies. Have been very impressed with the kids at the U17 level coming from multiple clubs, especially Atlanta FC. Our biggest problem, is the development of players from the age of 16 to 20. More of the players are getting into professional environments earlier which a plus but it has still only been happening for the past few years. Its a slow process, but the development is much improved from just 5 or 6 years ago.

I’m not surprised he was bullied, do you realise who their striker is? May not be anything special as a footballer but he’s pretty unique.

I don’t think a teenager making his debut getting bullied by akinfenwa is anything to worry about

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If Afinkenwa could bully every defender he'd be being playing at the top level.
The reason he's playing League1 or 2 is because defenders deal comfortably with it as the most important part of defending is being able to deal with a physical threat.

Not being able to cope with a lower league striker, no matter what his size, means you won't have a top level career.
If a defender can't compete directly he needs to learn to beat the striker indirectly, jumping earlier, putting a nudge in before the challenge, leaning in etc. He needs to dictate what happens rather than being on the wrong end of it.

I was very worried when I saw CCV unable to cope with a lower league journeyman but he's obviously spent a lot of time learning his trade in a very short period of time.

If Afinkenwa could bully every defender he'd be being playing at the top level.
The reason he's playing League1 or 2 is because defenders deal comfortably with it as the most important part of defending is being able to deal with a physical threat.

Not being able to cope with a lower league striker, no matter what his size, means you won't have a top level career.
If a defender can't compete directly he needs to learn to beat the striker indirectly, jumping earlier, putting a nudge in before the challenge, leaning in etc. He needs to dictate what happens rather than being on the wrong end of it.

I was very worried when I saw CCV unable to cope with a lower league journeyman but he's obviously spent a lot of time learning his trade in a very short period of time.

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You do realise that he's been one of Sheffield Utd's best players and is pretty much coping very well with Championship strikers. His entire career isn't going to be defined by struggling with a 16 stone player in one match mate.

Haha. That's like saying if a 17-year old misses one open goal, he'll never be a good goalscorer.

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Up until my mid teens, I played to a good standard and still had hopes that I'd make it professionally. In one game at the age of about 12, I scored 4, had a penalty saved and did something which still gives me nightmares...

Our left winger crossed it in perfectly to me on the run, just as I reached the edge of the six yard box. The goal was wide open in front of me. I hit it on the half volley, side-footed. The ball struck the crossbar and, as my momentum carried me towards goal, came down, smashed me square in the face and trickled wide.

I promise you that this moment will haunt me for the rest of my life. My dad couldn't understand why I was so angry that day. "Son, you scored 4 goals."

Haha. That's like saying if a 17-year old misses one open goal, he'll never be a good goalscorer.

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I suspect you have misunderstood what I said.

My original comment stands, if you cannot deal with the physical side of the game you will not have a career in top flight football.At that point in CCV's development he couldn't deal with the physicality of Wycombe so he wasn't ready for first team football which a lot of fans believed he was, hence the loan.
I don't believe I said that he never would be able to, that seems to be some sort of conclusion that some of you have jumped to.

My original post was actually a compliment for the lad in his capacity to develop that side of his game in such a short time!

You do realise that he's been one of Sheffield Utd's best players and is pretty much coping very well with Championship strikers. His entire career isn't going to be defined by struggling with a 16 stone player in one match mate.

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Not sure if you read my original post but I was actually complimenting CCV on his rapid improvement from a young lad who couldn't deal with League one opposition to one who looked comfortable against the physicality of the Championship.

Not sure if you read my original post but I was actually complimenting CCV on his rapid improvement from a young lad who couldn't deal with League one opposition to one who looked comfortable against the physicality of the Championship.

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